The Art of Food

And you thought museums were place where you looked at art or learned about history. No more. In the Brandywine Valley, they’re also places where you can enjoy fine food and drink. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening. Explore the “Picturing Poe” exhibition and the wines of Spain at the Brandywine River Museum Oct. 10. This special evening event, hosted by the Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy, was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's short story, “The Cask of Amontillado.” Tickets are $25 for members and $35 non-members. “Uncorked! Wine, Objects & Tradition at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library” celebrates the objects and imagery created by society’s relationship with wine from the 1600s to the 1800s. In association with the exhibit, Winterthur will host The Art of Food & Wine Pairing on Oct. 12 and Nov. 9. Enjoy an evening of wine-tasting with Bouchaine Vineyards and delicious hors d'oeuvres on October 12 and Pasternak Wine Imports on November 9. Tickets are $45 for members, $50 for non-members. Wining and Dining Tours will be held every Friday Friday through November 16. In the Rotunda on Oct. 25, enjoy a Lunchtime Lecture: The Wine Cellar at Winterthur. Examine the history of wine-drinking at Winterthur from the early 20th century, through Prohibition and into the 1960s with estate historian Maggie Lidz. Finally, join the Golden Pheasants at Hagley Museum and Library on Oct. 25 for the Golden Pheasants Seagram's Tasting. Sample old and new Seagram products while exploring the early history of this distilled spirits company. Chief Curator of Library Collections Lynn Catanese will be on hand to discuss highlights from Hagley's collection on Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. Jared Card from The Wine and Spirits Company of Greenville will provide a tasting of Seagram products, including a special mixed drink in honor of our Golden Pheasants members. Enjoy light refreshments and a few cannon firings. Cost is $15 per person. For more information about all events, visit brandywinetreasures.org. Remember, legal drinking age is 21 in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Please drink responsibly.

The Best Time for Dinner

We love fall at the beach. Why? Dining specials, of course. Take this one, for example: 25 percent off your entire check. And that’s just the start of great deals at Lupo di Mare in Rehoboth Beach. Shall we go one? Wednesdays: half-price pasta dishes. Thursdays: half-price bottles of wine. Sundays: three courses for $19. Finally, there’s the Daily Sunset Special: three courses for $19 when seated before 6 p.m. And that’s just the start. There’s no better time to dine out at the beach. 226-2240, lupodimarerehoboth.com

Speaking of Specials

The Green Room of the Hotel du Pont recently started a fabulous offering for early diners. Visit Monday through Thursday between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the three-course early eating menu. Price: $35. It’s a bargain price for dining on fresh, seasonally inspired food by chefs Keith Miller and David Lattomus served on Versace china while seated in cozy wingback chairs. We’re in. 594-3154, hoteldupont.com

And While You’re at the Beach…

This weekend is the 10th annual Celebrity Chefs’ Beach Brunch at The Rusty Rudder in Dewey. On Oct. 7 enjoy cuisine from top area chefs, fine wine, cocktails, live music and the final Battle at the Beach Cookoff, this one between Becca Krebs and Kevin Reading. Proceeds go to Meals On Wheels Delaware. Tickets are $95 per person, available at 656-3257 and mealsonwheelsdelaware.org.

Chill the Wine, Dig That Swirl

The big news in wine this weekend is Vendemmia da Vinci on the Wilmington Riverfront Oct. 7. Described as “a block party, family reunion, Italian wine festival, and a homemade wine and gravy contest,” the day—a celebration of the grape harvest—features some of the best homemade food in the region, as well as delicious food from the area’s best restaurants. Pay the admission, get your wine glass, then sample vino poured free at various tables around Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. Get your Italian on now—The St. Anthony’s festival is eight months away. 877-731-5790, societadavinci.com

More Wining

It’s Harvest Festival weekend on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail Oct. 6-7. Visit any of the seven member wineries for tastings, food, hayrides, live music and more. You can even help stomp the grapes. (The organizers recommend bringing a towel and extra clothes.) Your hosts: Black Walnut Winery in Sadsburyville, Borderland Vineyard in Landenberg, Chaddsford Winery in Chadds Ford, Kreutz Creek Vineyards in West Grove, Paradocx Vineyard in Landenberg, Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford and Twin Brook Winery in Gap. That’s just the start. The individual wineries have their own events all year long. Check bwinetrail.com for more.

And Speaking of Wine…

DT wine guy Roger Morris has uncorked his sixth annual Case of the Brandywine from local wineries. His 12—one case—show the best winemaking in the area. They are: